PRO/CON: Should schools give extra days off to good students?

Texas students already face fewer school days than youngsters in Europe or Japan. The last thing they need is more time away from the classroom - even if they are good students.

Incredibly, that's what's happening in 10 area school districts, and Newton plans to join them.

The state allows districts to excuse up to 10 class days for students who pass all their standardized tests and core classes and miss fewer than 10 days. The intent is to allow teachers to focus on other students who are struggling.

Many of the students excused from classes under this program have not excelled. They could have just met the state's lenient minimum standards, such as getting the equivalent of 70s on standardized tests or "C's" in core classes.

Texas public school students are supposed to attend class for only 180 days per year. They need to spend all of that time learning as much as possible about the challenging technological world they will grow up in.

ANOTHER VIEW: Extra days off let teachers focus on kids who need help

Texas schools are finally able to deviate from the one-size-fits-all theory of education. They can give up to 10 days off to students who are doing well and focus more time and energy on kids who are not.

The students who are excused under this program will miss little or nothing of value as teachers go over material that other students are struggling with. These successful students already have learned the curriculum in question. Forcing them to sit in class while teachers repeat lessons for other students accomplishes nothing.

Few school districts have enough teachers and time to do everything. In the real world, they have to make choices and set priorities. This is a great way for them to focus on students who require special help.

The extra days off also serve as a big incentive to students to pass all their standardized tests and core classes and keep absences down.

Even prisoners get time off for good behavior; good students should too.

FEEDBACK: What do you think? Should schools give extra days off to good students?